Some saints’ names are far
more familiar to us than others, but even the lives of obscure holy persons teach us
something.

And so it is with St. Casilda, the daughter of a Muslim leader in
Toledo, Spain, in the 10th century. Casilda was herself raised as a Muslim and showed
special kindness to Christian prisoners. She became ill as a young woman but was not convinced that
any of the local Arab doctors could cure her. So, she made a pilgrimage to the shrine of San Vicenzo
in northern Spain. Like so many other people who made their way there—many of them suffering from
hemorrhages—Casilda sought the healing waters of the shrine. We’re uncertain what brought her to the
shrine, but we do know that she left it relieved of illness.

In
response, she became a Christian and lived a life of solitude and penance not far from the
miraculous spring. It’s said that she lived to be 100 years old. Her death likely occurred around
the year 1050.

Tensions between Muslims and Christians have often
existed throughout history, sometimes resulting in bloody conflict. Through her quiet, simple life
Casilda served her Creator—first in one faith, then another.

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